Pakistani-born Mavalvala among team of scientists to detect gravitational waves

If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Pakistani-born Mavalvala among team of scientists to detect gravitational waves

Pakistani-born astrophysicist Dr Nergis Mavalvala was among the team of scientists who verified Albert Einsteinís 1915 general theory of relativity.

According to the channel, Nergis Mavalvala is a Pakistani-born astrophysicist, A Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is one of the key people who detected gravitational waves. In 1916 Ė Albert Einstein predicts gravitational waves exist as a consequence of the theory of general relativity.

Almost 100 years ago, the famous scientist Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves or ripples in the fabric of space-time in 1916. Einstein was of the view that these waves would be really small and nearly impossible to detect.

In an interview to American newspaper, Dr Nergis stated that the technology has been advanced now as we can not only see the things but can also hear the secrets. She said that the eagled-eyed scientists have altogether opened an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos by finding ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves, making it possible to hear the secrets.

Studying the idea, scientists with Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) collaboration started working and for the first time detected the gravitational waves in an instrument on Earth. Dr Mavalvala, 47, attended the Convent of Jesus and Mary and did her graduation in Physics and Astronomy from Wellesley College in 1990.

She further preceded her education and received PhD. degree in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1997. Pakistani-born astrophysicist started working on gravitational waves at MIT Physics department in 2002.

Gravitational waves give us another way to observe space. These waves could tell us a little more about how the universe formed. So detecting these waves would give us a new insight into the cosmic events that produced them. Finally, gravitational waves could also help physicists understand the fundamental laws of the universe. They are, in fact, a crucial part of Einstein's general theory of relativity.